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I had the unfortunate opportunity to meet the author of that book, Mr. Grahm, some years back. He struck me as a whiny, narrow-minded, status-obsessed, jerk--the type of guy who sees nothing admirable about anyone, and especially anyone black, unless they are materialistic, money-grubbing prestige whores who can seperate themselves from "the little people." Based on past reading of some of his stuff, and meeting other people who know him, he has a record not so much of lauding financially successful African-Americans, which would be OK, or tracing a historical record, which would also be OK, but of sucking up to some way out-of-date image of elitism that even white folks don't much care about anymore.
I had the unfortunate opportunity to meet the author of that book, Mr. Grahm, some years back. He struck me as a whiny, narrow-minded, status-obsessed, jerk--the type of guy who sees nothing admirable about anyone, and especially anyone black, unless they are materialistic, money-grubbing prestige whores who can seperate themselves from "the little people." Based on past reading of some of his stuff, and meeting other people who know him, he has a record not so much of lauding financially successful African-Americans, which would be OK, or tracing a historical record, which would also be OK, but of sucking up to some way out-of-date image of elitism that even white folks don't much care about anymore.
From what I know, I'd skip this book.
Thats unfortunate to hear.His first book Member of the Club was very good.It was basically about him quitting his corporate job on Wall street where he felt he kept hitting a ceiling.So he went undercover and became a busboy at a very prestigious County Club and tells stories of how he was treated by blacks and whites that thought he was only a busboy..Is was much different from this book
Location: The Greatest city on Earth: City of Atlanta Proper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by citylove101
I had the unfortunate opportunity to meet the author of that book, Mr. Grahm, some years back. He struck me as a whiny, narrow-minded, status-obsessed, jerk--the type of guy who sees nothing admirable about anyone, and especially anyone black, unless they are materialistic, money-grubbing prestige whores who can seperate themselves from "the little people." Based on past reading of some of his stuff, and meeting other people who know him, he has a record not so much of lauding financially successful African-Americans, which would be OK, or tracing a historical record, which would also be OK, but of sucking up to some way out-of-date image of elitism that even white folks don't much care about anymore.
From what I know, I'd skip this book.
You know some people might say you are being harsh, and I hope I don't offend anyone with what I am about to say, but the qualities you just described can be said about a lot (not all or most) of the old money black people out there.
When I went to Morehouse, I encountered them and it was like meeting aliens from Mars in most cases. They were almost scared poopless at the thought of leaving campus and mingling among the common folk. Many got the best dorms on campus (In Forbes Hall where some of the rooms are bigger than my condo), wouldnt be caught dead on a train or bus, and magically got parking spots for their Range Rovers at the single lot on campus. Needless to say, many of us poor kids didn't like those cats very much. But not because of their privilege but because of the attitude you described of that dude that some of them had. Some of them really walked around like they owned the world and like they pooped flowers.
Glad I didn't have to deal with any of them post college.
You know some people might say you are being harsh, and I hope I don't offend anyone with what I am about to say, but the qualities you just described can be said about a lot (not all or most) of the old money black people out there.
When I went to Morehouse, I encountered them and it was like meeting aliens from Mars in most cases. They were almost scared poopless at the thought of leaving campus and mingling among the common folk. Many got the best dorms on campus (In Forbes Hall where some of the rooms are bigger than my condo), wouldnt be caught dead on a train or bus, and magically got parking spots for their Range Rovers at the single lot on campus. Needless to say, many of us poor kids didn't like those cats very much.
Rich people unite, no matter the color in this case. Blacks who have never lived in lower income areas, like most blacks, don't mingle well with the rougher blacks from low income neighborhoods. Nothing different than old money white people.
Location: The Greatest city on Earth: City of Atlanta Proper
8,486 posts, read 15,002,372 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by annie_himself
Rich people unite, no matter the color in this case. Blacks who have never lived in lower income areas, like most blacks, don't mingle well with the rougher blacks from low income neighborhoods. Nothing different than old money white people.
Not exactly.
I grew up in a low income neighborhood in Atlanta and my parents grew up in a low income neighborhood in New York City. There isn't anything "rough" about us, and certainly not with the type of men that Morehouse recruits.
Likewise, I have TONS of friends from college who came from upper middle class and wealth familes and neighborhoods who are good life long friends.
But many old money Bougies...they are in a separate demographic all their own. Many of them seem themselves as being "above" everyone else that isn't exactly like them. That has more to do with their specific subculture than money.
I grew up in a low income neighborhood in Atlanta and my parents grew up in a low income neighborhood in New York City. There isn't anything "rough" about us, and certainly not with the type of men that Morehouse recruits.
Likewise, I have TONS of friends from college who came from upper middle class and wealth familes and neighborhoods who are good life long friends.
But many old money Bougies...they are in a separate demographic all their own. Many of them seem themselves as being "above" everyone else that isn't exactly like them. That has more to do with their specific subculture than money.
You may not be rough, many kids are. Money is what puts them up there.
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